Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 December 2016
149. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38970/16]
View answerThe person concerned applied for Carer’s Allowance (CA) on 22 May 2015.
It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have a disability whose effect is that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continuous supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 18 August 2015 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.
He appealed this decision and the case was submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for determination. An appeals officer (AO), having fully considered all of the available evidence, disallowed the appeal. The person concerned was notified on 1 February 2016 of the AO’s decision and the reasons for it.
Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of an AO is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of relevant additional evidence or new facts. The AO subsequently recalled the file for review but there was no change to the original decision.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
